Psalm 39The Fleeting Nature of LifeFor the choir director, for Jeduthun. A Davidic psalm.391I said, “I will guard my waysso that I may not sin with my tongue;I will guard my mouth with a muzzleas long as the wicked are in my presence.”2I was speechless and quiet;I kept silent, even from speaking good,and my pain intensified.3My heart grew hot within me;as I mused, a fire burned.I spoke with my tongue:4“Lord, reveal to me the end of my lifeand the number of my days.Let me know how short-lived I am.5You, indeed, have made my days short in length,and my life span as nothing in Your sight.Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor.Selah6“Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow.Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain,gathering possessionswithout knowing who will get them.7Now, Lord, what do I wait for?My hope is in You.8Deliver me from all my transgressions;do not make me the taunt of fools.9I am speechless; I do not open my mouthbecause of what You have done.10Remove Your torment from me;I fade away because of the force of Your hand.11You discipline a man with punishment for sin,consuming like a moth what is precious to him;every man is only a vapor.Selah12“Hear my prayer, Lord,and listen to my cry for help;do not be silent at my tears.For I am a foreigner residing with You,a temporary resident like all my fathers.13Turn Your angry gaze from meso that I may be cheered upbefore I die and am gone.”